Tension gripped the Bhima Bhoi Medical College and Hospital (MCH) in Odisha’s Balangir district following the tragic death of a pregnant woman under disputed circumstances.
The incident has triggered widespread outrage, allegations of medical negligence, and a subsequent rampage on the hospital premises.
The deceased, a resident of the Kantabanji area, was admitted to the hospital four days prior to her passing. According to her family, she had successfully delivered her baby and was initially in stable condition. However, her condition deteriorated, leading to her death on Wednesday night.
The situation escalated dramatically on Thursday morning. Irate relatives and local residents gathered at the hospital, staging a fierce protest that quickly turned violent. A section of the crowd allegedly vandalised the Gynaecology and Obstetrics Department, shattering equipment and raising serious concerns over hospital security.
Grievances and Allegations
Anil Behera, the grieving husband of the deceased, recounted a harrowing experience with hospital staff and security.
“My wife was admitted to the hospital on Monday. I had even arranged blood for her, but the security personnel later manhandled and assaulted me. When my wife called me, they did not allow me to see her and instead drove me away.”
Other relatives claimed that the tragedy was a direct result of clinical negligence by the attending medical staff. Local residents also voiced broader grievances, alleging that patients routinely face severe difficulties securing hospital beds and are unlawfully coerced into paying bribes just to get admitted.
Controversial Body Handover and Investigation
Adding a layer of controversy to the tragedy, questions were immediately raised over how hospital authorities handed over the woman’s body to her relatives without conducting a mandatory post-mortem examination. Hospital authorities have maintained silence on the matter.
In response to the mounting pressure and public outcry, Balangir Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) Dr Pushpanjali Mishra personally visited the Gynaecology and Obstetrics Department to assess the situation. A high-level investigative team has been constituted to probe the allegations of medical negligence, procedural lapses during the body handover, and the security misconduct reported by the family.
Authorities have assured the public that strict action will be taken based on the findings of the ongoing inquiry.
